In our latest podcast, renowned composer Hendrik Hofmeyr shares his views on the art song, vocal music, as well as an interesting discussion on opera and libretto writing. Hofmeyr is one of South Africa's most prolific composers, having written several operas, scores of art songs, and a plethora of instrumental and orchestral works. In 1998, he won the Nederburg Opera Prize for his opera, The Fall of the House of Usher.

He also discusses the song “Kinderland” from his song cycle Alleenstryd. It is a setting of poetry by S.V. Peterson, the first person of colour to have work published in the Afrikaans language.

Song of the month:
Alleenstryd: "Kinderland"
Composed by: Hendrik Hofmeyr
Performed by: Andre Howard -baritone; Hendrik Hofmeyr - piano

Produced by:
Franco Prinsloo
Marilize Hattingh
Chris Vale

Sound engineer:
Kobus Ras

The poem can be found below in the original Afrikaans and an English translation:

Kinderland - S. V. Petersen

Sou daar in my wonderland soms nog 
kinders kaalvoet klouter opdraand teen die 
taaibosrand?

Pluk hulle bessies, skilpadbessies
donkerrooies, bruines, geles, nou nog in
my kinderland?

Geur dit nog van peperbossies en renoster
- waar die aarder ooplê teen die
hemelrand?

Hoe verleë dool ons dikwels mymerend
deur die verre strate moeg van die stad en
stadskoerant;

Hunderend tussen die skare, eenling,
eensaam in ons wese, ver van die huis en
kinderland!

Land of Children

Would there still be any children in my
wonderland, sometimes clambering
barefoot uphill against the Rhus verge?

Would they still pick berries, dark red ones,
brown ones, yellow ones in my
wonderland?

Does the aroma of pepperbushes and 
rhinoceros bushes still linger - where the
earth lies under the open sky?

How deprived we often wander, musing,
down the distant road, tired of the city and
the daily newspapers;

Longing for, alone amongst the the crowds,
lonely in our innermost being, far from
home and wonderland!